Argentina’s President Javier Milei had his first formal meeting with Pope Leo at the Vatican on Saturday, where the pontiff reaffirmed plans to visit Argentina—paving a possible turning point in diplomatic ties.
The statement came from presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni, who posted on social media, “The Pope assured the President in our recent meeting that he will go to Argentina.” No exact dates were given, but Argentina’s daily newspaper La Nación wrote that the visit could happen as early as next year, likely as part of an extended South American tour with stops in Uruguay and Peru. Pope Leo, notably the first U.S.-born pontiff, lived in Peru for nearly two decades.
Milei’s relationship with the Catholic Church had previously been strained, especially with Pope Francis, the Argentine-born pope who never returned to his homeland during his 12-year papacy. The new dialogue with Pope Leo suggests a fresh diplomatic chapter between the Vatican and Buenos Aires.
Saturday’s meeting was “cordial” in accordance with a Holy See statement and centered on common issues like encouraging socioeconomic growth, fighting poverty, and solidifying social cohesion. They also discussed ongoing international conflicts.
President Milei, a Trumpian libertarian president, could not make it to the Pope Leo’s inauguration ceremony because of his earlier scheduled commitments for Argentina’s legislative elections. His Italian trip involved a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday in Rome. It was on that trip that an Italian energy behemoth Eni and Argentina’s national oil company YPF signed a bilateral pact marking increased cooperation in energy development.
The visit, which is expected to be that of Pope Leo to Argentina, would be his first and might serve to revitalize the Vatican’s presence in the region, particularly after a tone-down period with his predecessor.
